Into the Fire

Michael Dellosso, one of the really nice guys of Christian fiction, writes supernatural horror—er, suspense—with a sound Christian message infiltrating the dark circumstances of his stories. His two previous novels The Hunted and Scream each depict protagonists with serious damage done to their faith who struggle to overcome horrors no one should have to face. Darlington Woods gives us another man, Rob Shields, who has suffered excruciating sorrow in his life, whose pain is palpable, and who operates his quest within the grip of crippling fear but with just enough courage to continue when there is no other option.

Voices from Rob’s near past propel him to a small town where a deceased aunt has willed him her in-need-of-repair home. At the local diner he meets the owner Mary Jane and her waitress and watches a heated encounter between the owner and a chilling man Rob refers to as Wax Man. We learn that Rob is looking for his missing son, not believing the remains identified by authorities to be his son Jimmy. When Rob decides to follow his internal leads and the voices and feelings he believes to be Jimmy’s, he acknowledges to himself that he struggles between his current reality and one fraught with perceived hallucination. The place he must go to find and rescue Jimmy is the one-way-in and one-way-out Darlington Woods. To his surprise the waitress Juli insists on accompanying him and convinces him that he will need her knowledge of the place to get there.

Dellosso methodically and clearly switches POVs between Rob’s, Juli’s, Mary Jane’s, and Wax Man’s throughout the story, increasing the intense suspense with different scenes and chaotic demonically charged encounters. The reader can’t help but wonder if the story is allegorical or actual or both—which was my decision. The pungent smell of fear accentuates the physical barrier of its domination in a life. The admirable efforts of Rob Shields to overcome his fear, his losses, and to gain some understanding of his journey keep the reader engaged in his battles and hoping he will ultimately make the right choice.

Juli provides light-hearted moments in the depths of crisis with her quirky sense of humor and off the wall expressions. The twists at the end of the story work very well, and the satisfactory ending to this short and sometimes tragic tale gives the reader closure to the plot and a firm understanding of the premise.

For readers who want an amped-up story about a tragic man battling what he sees as horrific opposition, Darlington Woods reads fast and furious. Each of Mike’s novels takes readers to scary places with terrifying circumstances and supernatural interference and intervention but conclude with satisfying victories. Mike Dellosso tackles fear, emotional pain, and spiritual warfare in a tangible story which gives credence to each of these facets in the human journey.

*** Go here for a contest giveaway: http://http://mikedellosso.wordpress.com/darlington-woods-contest/  ***

God, you’ve kept your hand on Mike throughout his illness and all the struggles of his life. He acknowledges your divine sustenance and says he is better for it all. Please bless this man who faithfully follows you through the good, the bad, and the ugly, and please continue to fill him up with stories that give you glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.